CBS: Obama Changes Tune on Paying for Unemployment Benefits Extension

[populistdriven]

In signing the bill restoring unemployment benefits to 2 ? million Americans jobless for more than 26 weeks, President Obama is also adding $34 billion to the deficit and the National Debt.

That's the reason nearly all Republicans voted against the measure. They wanted the cost of the benefits paid for with unspent government funds or by other budget cuts.

-snip-

But Republicans were quick to remind Mr. Obama what he said after signing a previous extension of unemployment benefits on November 6th of last year. "Now, it's important to note that the bill I signed will not add to our deficit. It is fully paid for, and so it is fiscally responsible," he said.

So eight months ago, he said paying for the benefits was the right thing to do, but now he sees no need to do so.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011420-503544.html

wtf - is Mark Knoller a fucking hack or what?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. He just fell in the hole he dug for himself by buying into and advancing deficit hysteria.

Everytime the Democrats try to do something under the emergency spending umbrella, they will be clubbed with the hammer they helped forge.

Too bad he didn't listen to Krugman earlier who wrote about spending into recessions/depressions.

He could have used it as another "teachable moment" as people are so fond of prattling about

[elleng]

2. 'now he sees no need to do so' b.s. Try, 'emergency' which will pay for itself.

[JuniperLea]

3. How much would letting all those people starve cost us?

How is that responsible, fiscally or otherwise?